Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder celebrated his 80th birthday in Berlin at the celebrity restaurant Borchardt. Despite the absence of the SPD leadership, old friends and some active politicians attended the party. Among the guests were FDP deputy chairman Wolfgang Kubicki and his wife, as well as Bundestag members Gregor Gysi (Left Party) and Peter Ramsauer (CSU). Former SPD chairman and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, along with his wife Anke Stadler, and former Mayor of Hannover Herbert Schmalstieg were also present. Other guests included Schröder’s former Minister of State for Culture Michael Naumann, former government spokespersons Béla Anda and Thomas Steg, former Bild editor-in-chief Kai Diekmann, painter Markus Lüpertz, and business consultant Roland Berger.
The party was organized by Schröder’s wife, Soyeon Schröder-Kim, who kept the guest list secret until the last moment. Former SPD and Left Party leader Oskar Lafontaine, who had recently reconciled with Schröder after years of estrangement, was unable to attend due to a prior commitment in France. Despite his ongoing friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has led to his isolation by the SPD leadership due to the Russian attack on Ukraine, Schröder received birthday wishes from SPD leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken, as well as Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Schröder, who turned 80 on April 7th, continues to work for the majority Russian-owned Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. He served as Chancellor of the first red-green government at the federal level from 1998 to 2005.
For his 70th birthday in 2014, the SPD had honored Schröder with a ceremony at the Berlin Kunstmuseum Hamburger Bahnhof, just days after the Russian annexation of Crimea. Former SPD leader Gabriel praised Schröder as “one of the most unusual Social Democratic politicians” in his tribute. The city of Hannover also held a ceremony for its former honorary citizen. However, Schröder later relinquished his honorary citizenship after facing a revocation process. The guest list for his 80th birthday celebration included figures from politics, media, and the arts, reflecting the wide-ranging connections and relationships Schröder has maintained throughout his career.
Despite the controversies surrounding his ties to Russia and his departure from the public eye, Schröder remains an influential figure in German politics and continues to be a polarizing figure within his own party. His birthday celebration brought together a diverse group of guests, highlighting the impact and legacy of his time in office. As he marks this milestone, Schröder’s ongoing relationships with friends and colleagues demonstrate the lasting connections he has forged over the years. The event at the exclusive Borchardt restaurant in Berlin served as a reminder of the significance of Schröder’s political career and the enduring friendships he has maintained throughout his life.
